Souari Nut, Butter Nut
Caryocar nuciferum

Family: Caryocaraceae

What it is like

A tall tree. It grows 45 m tall. It has thick buttresses. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The end leaflet is 12-30 cm long by 6-18 cm wide. There are slightly rounded teeth along the edge. The flowers are in groups of 2-8. Flowers open at night. The flowers are very large and deep red. They have large numbers of yellow stamens. The fruit are 10-15 cm across. The nut is kidney shaped. It is about the size of a hen's egg. The nut is large, soft and sweet.

The Caryocaraceae occur in tropical America. There are 16 Caryocar species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits the humid tropical lowlands. It is a rainforest tree. The flowers are pollinated by bats at night.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, India, Malaysia, Panama, SE Asia, Singapore, South America (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The seeds or nuts are eaten raw. They are also roasted or cooked in salt water. They yield an oil that is used for cooking. It is edible. The oily yellow pulp of the fruit can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

It is a cultivated food plant. It is tasty and nutritious.

Edible parts

Seeds, kernels, fruit, oil, nuts

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seeds.

Trees can fruit at 5 years of age. Often they fruit are 10-15 years.

Its other names

Local names

Alokomali, Cagui, Guiana nut, Hora, Horea, Hura, Imbe, Impe-yek, Inginoto, Pineberoe, Sauari nut, Sawari, Sawarinoto, Sourie

Synonyms

Amygdala guayanensis Clusius; Caryocar tomentosum Willdenow, nom. illeg.; Caryocar tuberculosum (Aublet) Baill.; Pekea tuberculosa Aublet; Rhizobulus pekea Gaertner; in part, nom illeg. Rhizobulus tuberculosus (Aublet) Gmelin; in part